Industry rewards brave soldiers who rescued Dutch tourist

Thursday, 5 March 2015 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) recently rewarded the bravery of the soldiers who rescued Dutch national Martin (35) from near death when he accidentally fell off from World’s End at Horton Plains, while on a honeymoon tour in Sri Lanka with his wife Linda.

Martin managed to survive a fall from a 4,000 foot tall cliff on the popular tourist attraction when he stumbled and fell over the cliff. Luckily he had fallen on a tree, which broke his fall. Martin was photographing his wife when he lost his footing and fell off the cliff. The soldiers of the Army and Air Force were presented with plaques of appreciation to recognise their bravery and commend their contribution, which enhanced the image of destination Sri Lanka for travellers around the world. Also present at the function was the Head of the 3rd Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and its Head Major General Mahinda Ammanpopla and Air Force Marshal Yahampath of Diyathalawa Camp who the Board of SLTPB thanked for leadership in the rescue operation. Martin, the survivor of the incident, gave a very emotional speech to the crowd gathered at the felicitation ceremony, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Sri Lanka and the brave men who saved him. His wife Linda too voiced her thoughts on the incident and mentioned that if not for the courage of displayed by the persons who decided to save Martin, it would have been a different story by now.